Key retainer



Aug. 29, 1933.

KEY RETAINER Filed Jan. 30, 1931 .INI/ENTOR. HYMAN Q. SEG/1L, "M 12M0 f A TTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 29, 1933 entren stares rATENr ori-ica KEY RETAINER VHyman-R. Segal, New York, N. Y. Application January 36, 1931. Serial No. 512,338

(ci. scf-oe) 2 claims.

This invention relates to a retaining device, capable of use in numerous diierent associations, but primarily intended to be employed in connection with keys.

As such, it is an object of the invention to con#- struct an apparatus of this characterwhich will compactly house a plurality of keys and so that the same may be rendered instantly available for use.

A'iurther object of the invention is that of providing a retaining device in which keys may be Aselectively identified even when the user is employing the device in the clark.

A still further object is that of providing an article of this nature in which, if desired, only key blanks of special types may be employed.

Another object is that of iurnishing a retainer which may be economically constructed without the use o skilled labor and largely by automatic machinery.

With these and further objects in mind, ref erence is had tothe attached sheet oi drawing illustrating practical embodiments of the inven-n tion, and in which:

Fig. l is aside elevation of a retainer;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 2 2 and in the direction of the arrows ci Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device as shown in Fia. l;

Fig. l shows one oi' the operating elements which may be employed;

Fig. is a perspective View oi the device in open condition;

Fig. l is a detail of an operating unit which may in certain instances be employed to advantage.

ln these several views, the numeral 10 indicates a casing which, in the embodiment illustrated is in the form of two shell portions hingedly connected together as at ll and which may normally be secured against movement with respect to each other, and in iace to face Contact as i'or example, by a clip structure l2 or any suitable locking expedient. The shell portions are preferably segregated from each other by means ci a partition i3 which latter may be mounted by the hinge structure il so as to be freely movable when the casing portions are in open condition.

Each oi the casing portions, preferably cornprises a iiange body, the outer face of which is formed with a slot i4 and the iiange is inten' rupted as at l5 to provide an aperture through which the key may be projected.

Fig. 6 shows a further form of the retainer; and

Iit will house four keys.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 6, it will be observed that a guiding lug 16 is provided in line with this' aperture by for example striking a portion of the casing inwardly. Mounted within the slots 14 are operating elements which include portions 17 60 for engagement by the fingers or thumb oi the user, a retaining disk 18 which rides within the inner face of the casing, and a mounting stud 19 which projects inwardly from the disk 18.

This'stud is of such an area that it may extend through the opening formed in the head of a key blank 20. Asa consequence, if the actuating portions 17 are engaged and moved along the track Ways provided 'by the slots 11i, the key will be projected and retracted. Moreover, due to the guiding lugs 16, it will be appreciated that an element is provided which cooperates with the groove 2l of the key for the purpose of preventing the latter from rocking as it is moved to project beyond or be retained within the casing.

ln order that the proper key may be selected, the contact portions 17 are each preferably of a different coniiguration. As viewed in Fig. 6, one of them may be diamond shaped and the next may be round. Additionally, they may obviously be bulged to a greater or lesser extent, be of an oval configuration or otherwise lend themselves to identiilcation by the ngers of the operator. Also, as shown in Fig. 6, it will be obvious that in,- stead of having the keys both projectible in a single direction as in the structure of Figs. l to 5, they may be projected in opposite directions. Likewise, as shown in this ligure, the casing may accommodate two layers of keys. In other words, It is apparent that any desired grouping of the keys which will most expeditiously render them available for use and at the same time involve a casing ofsmall dimensions.

lt ismoreover proposed by the present invention that the manufacture of keys may be placed in a position of being assured that only keyblanks oi his .manufacture may be used. To this end, the studs la may be of such configuration that they will only enter the openings ci specially prepared key blanks. It will thus be obvious lthat inferior products may not be foisted upon the public in that ii for example the stud be diamond shaped in cross section, only a key blank vhaving an opening oi proper area or configuration to accommodate the stud may be used in connection with the retainer.'

. Referring finally to Fig. '7. it will be appre elated that in certain instances, it may be desired to dispense with or supplementv the guiding the elements shown in ig.v i may be superseded by an element such as shown in the iigure in question, and in which a relatively long body 22 is provided which rides within the slot 14 so that any movement of the parts other than reciprocation is prevented. This element ywill carry twoy studs 23 or else a lug of irregular configuration. If two studs are employed, the key blank will have two openings, one for cooperation with each oi two or morevopenings formed in the key blank at predetermined points therein. In addition to the guiding construction thus presented, the manufacturer will be in a still better position to control the character of blanks which are utilized in connection with the retainer.

Thus, among others, the several objects as specifically afore referred to are achieved. It will be appreciated, moreover, that numerous changes in construction and rearrangements of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined by the claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

1. A key retainer including a casing, means for projecting and retracting a key with respect to said casing, and a guiding lug forming a part of said casing and riding within the groove of said key for confining the' movements of the latter. v

2. A key retainer comprising a casing formed with va longitudinally extending slot, operating means cooperating with' said slot for movement in the direction of the length of the same, means for fastening a key to said operating means, a further opening in said casing through which a key is projected and retracted as said operating means is actuated, and struck-up portions in said casing adjacent said latter opening for cooperation with the groove of said key whereby the movement of the latter is confined to a substantially' straight path.

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